SB 95
AN ACT relating to informed consent to immunizations for children and
89th Regular Session
Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended
Awaiting Committee Assignment
Bill filed, pending referral to Senate committee
Committee
Not yet assigned
Fiscal Note
Not available
What This Bill Does
relating to informed consent to immunizations for children and
Subject Areas
Bill Text
relating to informed consent to immunizations for children and civil liability for failure to obtain the consent. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 32.102, Family Code, is Sec. 32.102. INFORMED CONSENT TO IMMUNIZATION; CIVIL SECTION 2. Section 32.102, Family Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a) and (c) and adding Subsections (d) and (e) (a) Before administering an immunization to a child, a health care provider must obtain the informed consent of a [A] person authorized to consent to [the] immunization of the [a] child [has the responsibility to ensure that the consent, if given, is an informed consent]. The person authorized to consent is not required to be present when [the] immunization of the child is requested if a consent form that meets the requirements of Section 32.002 has been given to the health care provider. (c) As part of the information given in the counseling for informed consent, the health care provider shall provide [information to inform] the person authorized to consent to immunization with information regarding: (1) the benefits and risks of immunization, including any vaccine information statement required by the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. Section 300aa-1 et (2) [of] the procedures available under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. Section 300aa-1 et seq.) to seek possible recovery for unreimbursed expenses for certain injuries arising out of the administration of certain (3) the Vaccine Excipient Summary published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for each immunization to (d) If a health care provider fails to obtain the informed consent required by Subsection (a) and the child has an adverse reaction to the immunization, the provider is liable to the person authorized to consent to the immunization for damages in an amount of not less than $5,000. In an action brought under this subsection, a claimant may also recover reasonable expenses incurred in bringing the action, including court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, investigation costs, witness fees, and deposition (e) Sections 41.003 and 41.004, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, do not apply to an action brought under this section. SECTION 3. Section 32.103(b), Family Code, is amended to (b) A person consenting to immunization of a child, a physician, nurse, or other health care provider, or a public health clinic, hospital, or other medical facility is not liable for damages arising from an immunization administered to a child authorized under this subchapter except for injuries resulting from the person's or facility's own acts of negligence. For purposes of this subsection, an immunization administered to a child is not authorized under this subchapter if the physician, nurse, or other health care provider failed to obtain informed consent as required SECTION 4. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Bill History
Bill filed: AN ACT relating to informed consent to immunizations for children and
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